I. chem‧i‧cal¹ S3 W3 AC /ˈkemɪkəl/ noun [countable]
[Word Family: noun: chemical, chemist, chemistry; adverb: chemically; adjective: chemical]
a substance used in chemistry or produced by a chemical process
toxic/hazardous/dangerous chemicals
the organic chemicals industry
synthetic chemicals

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

II. chemical² W3 AC adjective [only before noun]
[Word Family: noun: chemical, chemist, chemistry; adverb: chemically; adjective: chemical]
[Date: 1500-1600; Language: Modern Latin; Origin: chimicus 'alchemist', from Medieval Latin alchimicus, from alchymia; ⇒ alchemy]
relating to substances, the study of substances, or processes involving changes in substances:
the chemical composition of bleach
a chemical analysis of the soil
—chemically /-kli/ adverb:
Chemically, the substances are similar.

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

chemical
noun
ADJ. pure | organic | inorganic, synthetic | dangerous, harmful, hazardous, poisonous, toxic | agricultural, household, industrial
VERB + CHEMICAL manufacture, produce | discharge, dump chemicals discharged by industry into our lakes and rivers
be exposed to Many workers are regularly exposed to dangerous chemicals.
CHEMICAL + NOUN factory, plant, works pollution from a big chemicals plant
business, company | industry, manufacturing

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

chemical

dangerous/harmful
Many cleaning products contain chemicals that can be harmful.
hazardous (=very dangerous)
There are major problems over the disposal of hazardous chemicals.
toxic/poisonous (=containing poison)
The chemicals that were released were highly toxic.
synthetic chemicals (=made by mixing artificial substances)
A synthetic chemical is, in theory, identical to that found in nature.
organic chemicals (=containing natural substances including carbon)
Oil and coal are known as organic chemicals.
industrial/agricultural chemicals (=used in industry/in farming)
Some deaths from cancer are related to industrial chemicals.
use chemicals
Farmers use chemicals to kill insects that would destroy their crops.
produce chemicals
the dangerous chemicals produced by burning oil
be exposed to chemicals
Some of the troops were exposed to chemicals.
the chemical industry
The chemical industry is one of the most important industrial sectors.
a chemical plant (=factory producing chemicals)
There has been an explosion at a chemical plant in Germany.
a chemical fertilizer (=chemicals to help plants grow)
Many crops are grown with chemical fertilizers.
chemical waste
the risks from pollution and chemical waste
chemical weapons (=poisonous chemicals used as weapons)
a global treaty banning chemical weapons
chemical warfare (=the use of chemical weapons in wars)
There is now also the threat of chemical warfare.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲